Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Edward D.Barker

1470 Go Sleep, Ma Honey

WHIPP’WILL ’s singin’ to de moon,—

Go sleep, ma honey, m—m.

He sing a pow’ful mo’nful tune,

Go sleep, ma honey, m—m.

De day bird ’s sleepin’ on his nes’,

He know it time to take a res’,

An’ he gwine ter do his lebel bes’,—

Go sleep, ma honey, m—m.

Old banjo ’s laid away,—

Go sleep, ma honey, m—m.

Its pickin ’s froo for to-day,—

Go sleep, ma honey, m—m.

De night time surely come to pass,

De cricket ’s chirpin’ in de grass,

An’ de ole mule’s gone to sleep at las’,—

Go sleep, ma honey, m—m.

I hear de night win’ in de corn,—

Go sleep, ma honey, m—m.

Dey ’s a ghos’ out dah, sure ’s yo’ born,—

Go sleep, ma honey, m—m.

But he dassent come where we keep a light,

An’ de candle’s burnin’ all de night,

So sink to res’, des be all right,—

Go sleep, ma honey, m—m.